Just got my new 2001 XF a few weeks ago. One thing that seems strange is that I am having some problems refueling it - the pump continually shuts off, which can be pretty irritating. This has happened at several different stations, was just wondering if there is something on the XF design causing it.

Thanks -

 

Sorry, 2011

 

Mine is the same. It does depend on the pump type, nozzles and vapor recovery system fitted (if any), but, in general, I find that it shuts off prematurely if the nozzle is inserted all the way in due to splash back in the filler pipe. I have found that if I pull the nozzle out an inch or so, it is less likely to shut off prematurely (in Texas there are few pumps with vapor recovery systems fitted). This may not be possible with the nozzles that have the vapor return "jacket" over the nozzle which is more likely the case in California.

Pumps in the US tend to have higher flow rates than the ones in Europe and the US nozzle designs are more sensitive due to their different design (they shut off with the flow whereas in Europe they tend to shut of against the flow - shutting against the flow stops them snapping shut which they do in the US). I have noticed a number of cars I have had of European origin that have problems with premature shut off since the higher flow rate tends to cause splash back in the filler designs for European cars.

 

I had the same problem. I complained and they fitted an updated part to provide support for the fuel filler neck. This cured the problem.

 

Yes while this is a frequent complaint on different cars I've had it's always been fixable under warranty, fuel filler neck as N4S stated. My 2010 has no issue with putting the filler neck all the way in and just holding it full blast till it's full on some pretty fast pumps.

 

Had the same problem initially. Not sure whether it is the splash back deal or the angle of the filler tube, but if you insert the pump all the way in, it seems to just shut off. Even worse, when you do that the automatic shut off jars the pump and it shoots out of the car and can scratch on the way down. Happened a few times to me, but if you just insert it a little and just enough for it to hold, never again did I have that problem.

 

I've got an appointment with my dealer tomorrow to get this very issue addressed. Drives me nuts and needs to be addressed.

 

Thanks for the input - I just pinged my salesman to check on this for me.

 

In case it's helpful to others, the invoice on my repair said, "1 C2Z11752 Bowl-Fuel Filler." "Found grommet in filler bowl out of place. There is an update filler bowl with extra grommet for lower part."

The above update cured my fuel fill problem. My theory is that the prior part did not provide the filler neck with enough stability for the pump to engage fully, so it clicks off per design so as to avoid a fuel spill. The fuel pump now engages solidly and so far I've not had the refueling issue return.

 

Fuel pump nozzle reacts to pressure changes in the filler neck as the fuel reaches the nozzle end. It is pretty hair trigger for obvious reasons. Anything that obstructs the flow of air out of the filler neck can mimic the pressure change and kick off the pump. This is why pulling the filler handle partway out works but is also the reason why you should not do so.

 

I thought I had read this while researching. My MY12 has this issue as well. What is the thinking here? It's an intermittant issue so we don't address it with a part change? Besides we already have too many parts in stock? I really thought from what I read TaTa learned from the 09 on and made improvements. Guess some issues just aren't cost effective.

 

Fuel nozzles sense air flow through a small hole in the front of the nozzle alongside the main fuel outlet part of the nozzle. Inside the nozzle there is a venturi used to generate a slight vacuum (generated by a venturi in the fuel flow line) which sucks air through this hole, thus reducing the vacuum in the venturi chamber. A flexible diaphragm in the venturi chamber will not move when the hole is sucking in air, since the vacuum is reduced by the air pulled in through the nozzle hole. When it starts to suck in fluid, the vacuum builds up and the diaphragm moves and is arranged to trip the shut off mechanism. The most common problem that causes premature shut off is splash back that blocks the hole in the nozzle and thus trips the cut off mechanism. Pulling the nozzle out slightly reduces the effect of the splash back, but, of course, allows the tank to fill more than optimum.

If the tank vent is blocked, a partial vacuum in the fuel tank is generated when the fuel is used. This can pull a vacuum for a short time on the nozzle venturi chamber when the nozzle is first inserted and prematurely trigger the nozzle in the early stages of refueling. Once, however, pressures, have equalized the nozzle will operate normally.

 

I find easing the fuel flow from slow to full speed when starting to fill the tank and then also slowly easing up on the fuel speed as you approach full works most of the time to prevent premature shutoff or, worse, failure to shut off promptly when full.

 

Given you're in CA: el problema